PSU President Urges Public to Support UDP Anti-Corruption Protest

Public Service Union (PSU) President Dean Flowers is encouraging Belizeans to participate in Friday’s anti-corruption protest being organized by the United Democratic Party (UDP). He says the demonstration should be viewed as a stand against corruption rather than support for any political party.

Flowers told News 5 that said every citizen has a responsibility to oppose corruption, regardless of which party is organizing the event. He also called on public officers who are able to take the day off to join the protest. “I think it is in the best interest of every citizen in this country to support any rally that is against corruption,” Flowers said. “I want to call on the Belizean people, public officers who can apply for the day, who can get a day off, you are not going there to support the UDP, because the UDP has proven that under their former leader and administration they were equally as corrupt and equally as dismissive.”

Flowers said successive governments have failed to uphold the fiscal and financial laws of the country and argued that both major political parties must be held accountable.

“However, they are now under new leadership, and they are suggesting that in the best interest of this country they want to do things better,” he said. “As a society, as a union, we will be coming up with strategies and ways to enter into social contracts, with the government, with the opposition, with social partners, how we can hold their feet to the fire.”

Flowers said he plans to attend Friday’s demonstration as a private citizen, citing concerns about the country’s growing debt burden and its impact on future generations.

The UDP has organized Friday’s protest in Belize City over allegations of corruption involving the Briceño administration. It remains to be seen how many people will participate in the demonstration.